A new programme of creative workshops are starting in Boston & Spalding Libraries.  Transported, in partnership with artsNK, are launching a new Arts & Health project called Taking pART. It will begin at the end of January and continue through to July with a series of four weekly creative art sessions, held in Boston and Spalding Libraries on Thursdays.

The activities are funded by the Mental Health Promotion Fund through the Managed Care Network and Transported, and are accessible to all members of the community, with a special emphasis to integrate those experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues.  The workshops will help all participants to discover and develop new skills, build lasting relationships and encourage mutual support in a welcoming and inclusive environment.  Taking part in an arts activity can increase participants’ sense of wellbeing, encourage creative thinking and reduce stress.

Marion Sander, Visual Arts Development Coordinator at artsNK, said: “We believe that the arts are a wonderful tool to bring positive changes into people’s lives and are very excited to be able to take this new Arts & Health pilot project to the communities of Boston and Spalding. The free art activities are led by experienced artists, who will provide a perfect environment for all participants to explore creativity together no matter where their starting point may be.”

The workshops start on Thursday 28 January with “You Can Find Me Right Here!”, when book sculptor and paper artist Phiona Richards (as seen on Channel 4’s Kirsty’s Handmade Britain) will be showing participants who to cut, fold and stitch exciting mini books as a way of exploring locations – using maps, old magazines and decorative papers.  The workshop will take place at Boston Library from 10am to 12noon, and then again at Spalding Library from 2pm to 4pm.  Phiona is one half of The Eloquent Fold, who ran hugely popular creative sessions in Boston, Spalding and Long Sutton Libraries in 2015.  This workshop continues on 4, 11 and 18 February.

From 25 February through to 17 March, Phiona will then be running a “Creative Journal Making” workshop on Thursdays at the same times in Boston and Spalding Libraries.  Participants will make their own unique journals using paint, ink, masking tape, collage, drawing, writing and doodling.  From 7 April through to 28 April, Graphics, Art & Design artist Amber Smith will be running a weekly workshop on “Drawing, Collage, Mixed Media and Sculpture”.

To see all the events that are happening, visit this link.

No experience is necessary for any of the creative sessions – just curiosity and enthusiasm!  Places are limited and booking is essential, so to book a place please contact Marion Sander on 07887 574138 or email marion.sander@litc.org.uk.

Transported and artsNK are currently looking for artists who can facilitate a wide range of accessible visual arts activities, plus poetry or creative writing, for the next Taking pART workshops which will take place from May to July this year.  For more information including how to apply, visit this link.